Note: Click on the graphic above to see a brief slideshow and gallery of some of Eugene James Martin's wonderful artwork.
Our friend, Anne Holliday, a writer, art historian and avid blog watcher serves as senior curator of the Stowitts Museum & Library (www.stowitts.org) in historic downtown PG.
The permanent collection features the work of namesake H.J. Stowitts (American 1892-1953) and other 20th century artists who made significant contributions to art and culture yet were overlooked – or worse - neglected by mainstream critics and scholars of their era.
This Thursday, September 14th, the Stowitts Museum opens a new retrospective on the art of the late American painter, Eugene J. Martin, (1937-2005). His widow, Dr. Suzanne Fredericq, a marine biologist at the University of Louisiana, LA, will be the guest of honor at the exhibition celebrating the life and achievements of the artist. Holliday told me: “We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Fredericq-Martin as our special guest on this opening weekend. The artist was born in Washington, D.C. In 1938 and completed his formal art education at the Corcoran School of Art in 1963. The new retrospective of Martin’s paintings and drawings represents the first west coast venue for this highly acclaimed American artist.”
Holliday credits the artist’s widow for her dedication in making sure we have his wonderful work available in galleries and on the web. The retrospective at the Stowitts Museum, titled “All That Jazz” opens on the eve of the 49th annual Monterey Jazz Festival and will be on view through the end of October. For a preview glimpse of Martin’s paintings and drawings online simply google “Eugene Martin artist”.
Having grown up on the Monterey Peninsula, since 1960, attending the Monterey Jazz Fest was a life changing event for me. I was able to see Thelonius Monk and Charles Mingus one year, when I was about 12. They changed my life and so to have this lovely opening of a gifted African American artist like Eugene James Martin on this weekend, touches me once again. Join us! Support the Stowitts Museum and the work of artists like this. NP
PLEASE JOIN US AT THE OPENING CELEBRATION AND RECEPTION AT THE STOWITTS MUSEUM ON THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 FROM 5 TO 8 P.M., 591 LIGHTHOUSE AVENUE
(THE GILES BUILDING) DOWNTOWN PACIFIC GROVE.
